Groupama-FDJ United name a versatile 2026 Giro d'Italia squad, but lack a leader

The start of the Giro d'Italia 2026 is fast approaching, and the squad announcements keep coming. Groupama-FDJ United confirmed their eight-man selection on Sunday evening. It is a versatile group — but one that, with all due respect, lacks a major name.

It has not been a particularly impressive year for Groupama-FDJ so far. Romain Grégoire provided a win at the Faun Drôme Classic and Ewen Costiou delivered a stage win and the overall at the Étoile de Bessèges — but those three victories represent the team's entire haul to date.

Beyond that there have been plenty of strong results from Grégoire — fourth at the Amstel Gold Race, fourth at Strade Bianche, second at Trofeo Laigueglia and seventh at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The Frenchman is not among those heading to Bulgaria, however, where the Giro gets underway on Friday.

Who will fly the flag for the French team? Axel Huens, for one — the rider who joined from Unibet Rose Rockets over the winter and put together a solid spring with his new team. It will be Huens's Grand Tour debut, as it will be for Josh Kench, the 24-year-old New Zealander.

In the mountains, the team will rely primarily on Rémy Rochas, who reached the top five twice at last year's Giro. Brieuc Rolland is also counted on for the climbing work — the young talent who featured well at last year's Vuelta (his Grand Tour debut) and finished third on two occasions.

For the stage ten time trial, Groupama-FDJ United bring Rémi Cavagna as an outsider. He and the equally thirty-year-old Cyril Barthe are the most experienced riders in the squad. Johan Jacobs also features, and last but not least Paul Penhoët is the team's sprinting option. Stage wins are clearly the aim, with the French team holding cards for every type of terrain.